TPS Board Member Threatens Resignation Amid Distance Learning Debate

The Tulsa Public Schools Board of Education will meet Monday night to discuss the latest on COVID-19. The meeting could also result in the resignation of a board member. 

Dr. Jerry Griffin has hinted online that he may be resigning. He was elected to represent District 6 in June 2020 with his term set to expire in April 2024. Dr. Griffin told News On 6 that he has already written his letter of resignation, it is just a matter of if he turns it in at Monday night's meeting.

Currently, Tulsa Public Schools students are set to remain in distance learning until Monday, March 22. Dr. Griffin said he made a formal request to the board president, Stacey Woolley, at the last board meeting that they should discuss students returning before that date. He said the board president indicated she would hear that item during the February 1 meeting, but has now refused to even list it.

"Board members should be allowed to request that any item be placed on the item for discussion. Right now, it's a discretion of the board president and superintendent whether an item is placed on the agenda. It's a control process, and I don't believe that's right," said Dr. Griffin in an interview with News On 6.

During his interview with News On 6, Dr. Griffin explained that he has received a lot of positive feedback from his Facebook post. "I think the theme is that I'm the only one listening to the portion of parents that want to go back to school." He said he was shocked by the public support, which is now causing him to reconsider.

Dr. Griffin was also critical of the school system during his interview. He said that in times of crisis, organizations need bold leadership. He said TPS has no leadership either at the administrative or board level. "It's important to understand that TPS was a failing school system prior to COVID. This was why I ran. This was why other people have sought TPS office. We were going to talk about how we fix a failing school system. COVID has covered all that up, the mismanagement. We don't even talk about that anymore, and we've got to get back to it. To solve the COVID problem you need leadership to say, 'What can we do. Can we go to Expo Square and have spread students out there and have classes there?' There's a lot of things we can do to mitigate it but don't talk about it."

Dr. Griffin said he will continue to listen to his constituents on both sides of the argument before deciding what to do.

In addition to that potential announcement, the school board will get an update from administrators on the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the district. The district's current plan is to return to in-person learning on Monday, March 22. Students will remain in distance learning until then.

Monday's meeting is set for 6:30 p.m.